Path to citizenship could boost demand for English, financial classes, other needs

NEW BEDFORD — Local immigrant advocates are already anticipating an increased demand for English classes and tax advice in response to optimism about the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform.

NEW BEDFORD — Local immigrant advocates are already anticipating an increased demand for English classes and tax advice in response to optimism about the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform.

The path to citizenship outlined in frameworks proposed by both President Barack Obama and a bipartisan "Gang of Eight" senators would allow people living in the country illegally to enter the pool of green card applicants, provided they go through additional background checks, demonstrate a work history, learn English and comply with other requirements.

Green cards signal permanent legal residency and make their holders eligible for citizenship.

"It will be a wonderful opportunity for people to really come out of the shadows ... and I think there's going to be a need for services," said Immigrants' Assistance Center executive director Helena DaSilva Hughes, cautioning that applicants should expect the process to "be awhile."

"I've been hearing a process of about 12 years, but at least there will be some kind of path," she said.

Massachusetts has an estimated 150,000-170,000 illegal immigrants, said Eva Millona, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

There are likely 8,000-10,000 people living illegally in New Bedford, said DaSilva Hughes.

In 2006, former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Sen. John McCain included similar requirements in their legislation, which died in the face of opposition from both right and left.

This time could be different, due to the prominence of the issue during the presidential campaign, the overwhelming support Latino voters gave Obama, and subsequent rethinking on the part of legislators, observers said.

"I do think this is probably the best opportunity we're going to have because people are tired of the debate," said Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson. "People are tired of talking around it when they know the problem is Congress."

If immigration reform passes, Hodgson said he expects to see increased demand for any number of services, including public housing and health care.

"The United States needs to get a handle on how much our infrastructure can handle in the way of these numbers," he said. "There needs to be a really controlled approach to this as far as how many people come in."

Those concerns surfaced in earlier debates, said Corinn Williams, executive director of the Community Economic Development Center.

"I think some of this balances out through increased tax revenue and increased resources in the economy," she said.

Few specifics about the reform have been released. One possible sticking point is the requirement in the Senate framework that enforcement measures be complete before any illegal immigrants can receive a green card. The framework would establish a commission of elected and community leaders living along the Southwest border to make that evaluation.

Millona said she is hopeful that legislation will be introduced this spring, with debate starting in the summer or early fall.

"We feel pretty optimistic that it will happen this year," she said. "I would urge people to start the conversation now in terms of what this would look like for the city and the county and how best (to) ... coordinate with the state."